Maria is standing to the side waiting for the man walking up the street to pass her. She was in the shadows trying to make sure he didn't see her. A little ways down he stops under a light. A smile appears on his face as his eyes gleam looking at her. He starts walking again never loosing that smile.

He's getting closer and closer. He is in front of the ally Maria had backed into. He turned his head still with a smile and looks at her.

"Hello there my dear," The man whispers to her. "What are you doing out here all alone? It's a dangerous place in the dark."

He reaches out and grabs her wrists and tries to pull her towards him. She fights to stay were she is but slides a little.

"No leave me alone!" Maria said to the man pulling against his touch.

She screams and the man gives out a little chuckle.

Yes scream," he said softly pulling her closer.

On a block about three blocks away two men are standing under a light talking when they hear a scream.

"What the hell?" one of the men says. "Who the hell would be screaming at this time of night?"

"I don't know," the other man said softly

"C'mon, let's go check it out," the first man said starting to walk towards the street the scream had come from.

"Alright," the second said following the first.

"Scream again," the man said to Maria who was still fighting against him. "Such a pretty voice."

She pulled at his hand. He gripped tighter and she winced at the pain.

"Let go," she said grinding her teeth.

"I don't think so," the man chuckles and reached out again and grabbed hold of her throat.

She gasped for air not able to draw any in. She couldn't break free, he was over powering her. She saw two men walking around the corner. They froze and looked at her and the man. She had been lifted at least a foot off the ground. One of the men started running followed shortly by the other.

The first man got there and punched the man holding her up. She dropped and was caught by the second man.

"Don't worry miss," he said to her then turned to the man fighting her assailant. "Come on Brandon he can't be that hard."

The man named Brandon threw three more punches and then the other man fell to the ground unconscious. Brandon turned and walked over to Maria and the other man.

"Harry…" Brandon said softly.

"Ya I know," Harry said starting to examine Maria. "Does anything hurt like it might be broken?"

He studied the red marks on her neck from where she had been being strangled.

"N…No," she said softly shaking slightly.

Maria looked up at Brandon who had a worried look on his face, when he noticed her looking he closed his eyes and smiled at her.

"She's alright Brandon. Though we should walk her home to make sure she is safe," Harry said turning to Brandon.

"You go hack home," Brandon said in a soft semi-deep voice. "I'll take her."

"Ok," Harry said and stood up while Brandon helped Maria stand.

She just stared at her rescuers, 'Who are these people?'

"Which way?" Brandon asked as Harry went back the way they had come.

"Left," Maria said looking into Brandon's eyes. 'Golden Eyes.' She thought.